Mechanism for orienting and transferring buttons



K. J. FARQUHARSON 2,783,897

March 5, 1957 MECHANISM FOR ORIENTING AND TRANSFERRING BUTTONS Original Filed Jan 13, 1954 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR KENNETH J. FARQUHARSON 2 BY ALI'TORNEY 1 A EK March 5, 1957 K. J. FARQUHARSON 2,783,897

MECHANISM FOR ORIENTING AND TRANSFERRING BUTTONS Original Filed Jan. 13. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR KENNETH J. FARQUHARSON ATT RNEY United States Patent MECHANISM FOR ORIENTING AND TRANSFERRING BUTTONS Kenneth J. Farquharson, Norwalk, Conn., assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey 7 Claims. (Cl. 214-1) This invention relates to button sewing machines and more particularly to improvements in mechanism for use in button sewing machines for holding, transferring and orienting buttons in order that the needle of a sewing machine may pass through the holes of buttons without any obstruction whatsoever in attaching buttons to the work.

The present invention constitutes a division of copending application SN 403,678, filed January 13, 1954, by Arthur G. Mirel, Kenneth J. Farquharson and John H. Jackson.

In accordance with the invention, buttons are fed into a retainer chute or supply device down which they gravitate to a position substantially coaxial with the free end of a transfer mechanism which is provided with a reciprocatory and rotary spindle having buttonhole engaging means mounted thereon. The transfer spindle is provided with a pair of buttonhole-locating pins, and a pair of cantilever springs spaced therefrom which locate the holes in a button, and pick up and hold the button for positive delivery into means which position it adjacent the work for attachment thereto. On the forward movement of the spindle the locating pins first move into two buttonholes of a button in the button retainer because they are longer than the two buttons engaging and holding spring members. Upon continued forward movement of the transfer spindle and before the button has been ejected from the retainer chute, the spring members move into the other holes of the button, and because of their shape firmly hold the button against dropping off the locating pins.

The cantilever spring members preferably have a bowed end portion such that when the ends thereof enter buttonholes, the bowed section is flexed inwardly towards the center of the button and as the spring members continue their forward movement, the flexed body portions thereof pass through the buttonhole and spring back to their original shape, thus securely holding the button against the end of the spindle. The transfer spindle then continues its forward movement pushing the button out of. the retainer chute and locates it in position to be gripped and held by button chucks which are operative to support the button in proper position for attachment to the work. When a button is positioned in the button chucks and held thereby, the transfer spindle is retracted to its original dwell position. During the retraction the locating fingers or pins and the cantilever spring members are pulled out of the buttonholes or" the button which have been properly oriented by the button transfer means in its forward movement in delivering a button into the button chucks.

Since buttons in moving downwardly to a point of discharge in the retainer chute may have the position of their holes improperly aligned with respect to the path of travel of a needle therethrough, means are provided to rotate the transfer spindle. This movement allows the locating pins or fingers to find two buttonholes, and continues rotation of the transfer spindle to a final fixed po- 2,783,897 Patented Mar. 5, 1957 sition to insure that each button will be properly oriented by the time the transfer spindle has moved to its delivery position at which a button is gripped by the button chucks.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel button delivering and positioning mechanism which insures that each button being sewn to the work will be positioned with great accuracy and without the necessity of operating the machine to first orient a button before it is moved into position to be attached to the work. This result is effected by locating the button in position to be delivered to button sewing position when the machine is not operating, and as a result thereof, much sewing time is saved.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel means for effecting the delivery of buttons into the button chucks of a button sewing machine with the holes thereof properly located ready for attachment to the work.

The invention is further characterized by a novel button ejecting and aligning device which is operative to re move the lowermost button from a button supply, rotate the button into aligned position relative to the path of travel of the needle back and forth therethrough, and deliver the button with its holes thus properly located into the button chucks, or a button sewing machine.

The invention is also characterized by a novel button ejecting, transferring and orienting device having buttonhole finding means and members coasting therewith for positively holding a button at all times against removal from the buttonhole finding means during the removal of a button from a source of supply and until and after an oriented button has been delivered into the button chucks of a button sewing machine. iEWith these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will be described fully hereinafter, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. l is a plan view illustrating a preferred form of button ejector mechanism in conjunction with a button clip and receiving mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a partial top plan view of the preferred form of button feeding and positioning mechanism;

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are side elevations of the button ejector mechanism illustrating the successive steps in transferring a button from the button receiving station to the button chucks;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the button ejector mechanism during the engagement with a button during transfer; and

Fig. 7 is an isometric view illustrating a suitable foot treadle control mechanism for operating the button ejecting, delivering and orienting device.

Referring to the drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration, buttons B to be sewed to an article of apparel or other selected material are forwarded to the machine operator in novel button containers or clips. This makes it possible to insure that the proper color, size and type of button will be available for attachment to a particular piece of goods or work. When the machine is used for sewing buttons to mens coats, for example, a clip containing the correct buttons is placed in one of its pockets. Thus there is no guess work required on the part of the operator as to the type, color or size of button for the suit coat or garment. Since all buttons on a garment may not be of the same size, but may be different in diameter, clips of different width may be used, and the machine is so constructed in accordance with the invention, or to accommodate clips of various widths and to sew buttons of different diameters without difficulty or adjustrnent. The number of holes in a button, and their arrangement regardless the size of button are substantially the same. That is, in four hole buttons, the spacing of the holes and the size of holes are substantially the same regardless of difference in diameter.

The button clips R, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 consist of a suitably shaped elongated slotted channel member 358 of a length sufficient to hold a plurality of buttons arranged in side by side engagement.

A long flat spring 360 is suitably secured to the bottom side of channel member 358. The free ends 362 and 364 of spring 368 are suitably shaped and protrude through slots in the ends of channel 358, and prevent buttons loaded in a clip R from dropping or falling out while clips are being forwarded to or handled by an operator. On the bottom side of channel 358 and close to the rear pig loading portion thereof is secured a T-shaped knob 3 0.

The front or button delivery end of channel member 358 is provided with a pair of spaced prongs 368 forming a slot or track 370 (Figures 1 and 2). The front bottom portion of channel member 358 is also provided with a cut out portion, and the top flanges of channel member 358 which retain buttons in the clip, are also cut away at this point.

When preparing for sewing buttons on the machine, the operator inserts a loaded clip R with its front or delivery end into a clip receiving and supporting device designated generally D, so that buttons can be delivered from the clip into jaws 302, of the buttonholder K which delivers buttons into position for attachment to the work and holds them properly during this operation.

The clip receiving device B consists of an angularly mounted upright plate 374 attached to a vertical member 376 of main machine base. A pair of spaced opposed, movable, side clamping bars 378 is slidably and yieldably secured to the front face of plate 374. Each bar 378 is provided with a slot 389 adapted to engage a headed stud or pin 382. Clip clamping bars 378 are slidably retained on the face of plate 374 by means of a plate or cross bar 384 held by studs 382 (Figure 2). The inner edges of clip clamp bars 378 which face each other are formed with a tapered surface (not shown) which bears against the sides of clip channel member 358. In order to assure firm, yet resilient gripping action by clamp bars 378 on channel member 358, the outer edge of each bar is pressed inwardly by a tension spring 388 (Figure 2). One end of each spring 388 is secured to the outer edge of its respective clamp bar 378. The other end of each spring encircles a retainer pin 390 mounted in an arm of an L-shaped lug 392 attached to plate 374.

Easy insertion of a loaded clip R into device D is insured by the provision of a bevel 394 on the leading end of each clamp bar 378. The other or forward end of each clamp bar 378 is provided with a U-shaped, transverse cut out 396 bridged by a. stud shaft 398 loosely supporting an arm or finger 400 from the free end of which extends a pin 482. These pins are substantially parallel with the inner edges of their respective clamp plates 378. The pins 402 are used for the purpose of retaining the foremost button in clip R, when this button reaches the forwardrnost end of channel member 358 where the top flanges are cut away as described hereinabove. A tension spring 404 encircling each stud shaft 398 has a portion which presses against each finger 400 in order to maintain fingers 400 and pins 402 in normal button retaining position and to allow them to yield when a button is ejected from clip R.

When a loaded button clip R is inserted in device D it is pushed forwardly between clamp plates 378 until prongs 368 engage pin 406 whereupon the clip R is properly seated.

Tshaped knob 366 which projects from the base of clip R in the meantime has entered and engaged in a track 408 in plate 374 so that clip R is firmly held and properly positioned for operation of the machine by the operator.

As mentioned hereinabove, bent ends 362 and 364 of spring 360 prevent buttons from rolling or dropping out of clip R. However, during the insertion of a loaded clip R into receiving device D, end 362 of spring 360 engages a cross bar 410 (Figures 1 and 2) which causes end 362 to be deflected away from and to be held out of engagement with the foremost button in clip R. Thus due to the inclined position of the channel member 358 buttons now can gravitate downwardly in channel memher 358 until the leading button is arrested by a lip 412 (Figures l and 2) projecting from cut out 372 at the front or button delivery portion of channel member 358. This leading button now is positioned and is ready for ejection from button clip R into jaws 302 of the button chuck.

The preferred form of button ejeoting mechanism selected for purposes of illustration is shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive. In the form illustrated herein this mechanism consists of a horizontal shaft 414 having a hollow portion 424. Shaft 41.4 is slidably and rotatably mounted in suitable bearing lugs 416 of bracket 417 attached to plate 376 (Figure l). Shaft 414 is provided with a suitable elongated cam track 418 engaged by the end of a screw 422 mounted in one of the lugs 416. Hollow portion 424 on the forward part of shaft 414 carries a coil spring 428 having one end bearing against a piston like member 430 slidably confined in the hollow cylindrical portion 424. The other end of spring 428 presses against the bottom wall of hollow portion 424. Attached to piston like member 438 are two long spaced pins 432 which extend from member 430 outwardly t-hrou'h guide bores in a plug 434 secured by set screw 436 in the forward end of shaft 414.

Also mounted on plug 434, projecting outwardly therefrom and generally parallel with pins 432 are two spaced spring steel rod prongs 438. These prongs are so located in relation to pins 432 that they line up with one opposed pair or diagonally opposite holes in a button; the pins 432 line up with the other pair of opposed button holes. See Figure 6. The rear end of shaft 414 is at tached to the end of a bracket 440 the other end of which is secured to one end of a pusher rod 442 slidably supported and guided in a cable housing 444 (Figure 1) held by a bearing sleeve 445 supported in a suitable lock on the main machine frame. Attached to the other end of pusher rod 442 is one end of a flexible cable 446, which may be of the type sold under the trademark Tru-Lay. The other end of the cable 446 is secured to one end of a rod 447 attached to one end of lever 448 (Figure 7). The other end of lever 448 is connected to one end of a link 450 secured to lever 452 to which is connected to link 454 pivotally secured to treadle or foot pedal 456. Cable housing 445 is held by a sleeve 449 mounted in bearing bracket 451 (Figure 7) on the machine frame. Any suitable means (not shown) may be used for mounting lever 452. A tension spring 460 hooked to link 450 and anchored to a suitable stud on the main machine base is employed to keep treadle 456 in its normal upper position.

It is evident that the depression of foot treadle 456 results in a forward motion of shaft 414, which due to the turned down end 420 of screw 422 engaging cam track 418 causes shaft 414 to rotate whereupon the points of pins 432 are able to contact the face of the button B positioned in lower end of the button clip, as described heretofore, preparatory to moving through the opposed holes in the button. Although pins 432 may contact the face of a button, their resilient support provided by spring 428 allows shaft 414 to advance further and also transmits sufficient resilient pressure to pins 432 so that their points readily find and enter one pair of opposed holes (Figure 3).

Since shaft 414 continues to advance, as well as revolve, a button B engaged by pins 432 is also rotated until the turned down end 426 of screw 422 contacts that part of track 418 in shaft 414 which is parallel with its axis. At this point the rotation of shaft 414 stops. How ever, shaft 414 continues to advance in a straight line and steel wire prongs 433 then enter and engage with the other pair of opposed holes in button B (Figure 4). At this point the bottom or under-face of button B contacts the end of plug 434 of shaft 414 and pins 432 due to their resilient support provided by spring have retracted into the hollow portion of shaft 414 with only their points in contact with the holes of the button.

Upon coninued forward motion of shaft 414 the button is pushed out of engagement with resilient retaining pins 402 at the bottom of button clip R, and positioned between jaws 302 of the button chuck which have been opened by an operator. When shaft 414 with a button supported on prongs 438 reaches its forwardmost or button delivery position, the operator closes chuck jaws 302, which grip opposite sides of the button held supported on prongs 438. The operation of chuck jaws 3&2 are more completely disclosed in copending application Serial No. 403,678. As soon as the button is gripped by jaws 302, the operator removes pressure on left foot treadle 456 and because of the action of tension spring 460, shaft 414 retreats and revolves in a reverse direction to its original starting position.

The button ejecting mechanism embodying the insertion and shown in the drawings and described hereinabove performs the dual functions of transferring the buttons from the button clip R to the button chuck, and also orients each button so that the holes therein are in proper position for sewing when the button is gripped by jaws 302 of the button chuck K.

What I claim is:

1. Button supporting and orienting mechanism for use in a button sewing machine comprising a support bracket, an elongated shaft mounted in said bracket for axial and rotary movement, said shaft being provided with an elongated hollow portion, a cam track on the exterior of said shaft, a stationary cam follower adapted to engage said shaft, a member slidably mounted in said hollow portion, a spring located in said hollow member at the rear of said member and adapted to urge said member towards the open end of said hollow portion, a block in the open end of said hollow portion of said shaft seeuring member within said hollow portion, a pair of elongated pins fixed to said piston-like member and provided with tapered points extending through bores in said block, a pair of spaced prongs mounted on said block, means for moving said hollow shaft forwardly to engage said tapered ends of said pins with the bottom of a button, and simultaneously rotate said shaft to cause said tapered ends of said pins to enter said opposed pair of button holes, and means for continuing the forward movement of said hollow shaft to engage and pass said prongs into the opposite pair of button holes to securely hold a button for further forward movement with said shaft.

2. Button handling mechanism for a button sewing machine comprising an elongated shaft mounted for axial and rotary movement, said shaft being provided with an elongated hollow portion open at one end, a cam track formed on the exterior of said shaft, a stationary cam follower adapted to engage said shaft, a member slidably mounted in said hollow portion, spring means 6 r adapted to urge said member towards the open end of said hollow portion, a block in the open end of said hollow portion for maintaining said member within said hollow portion, a pair of elongated pins fixed to said member and extending through said bores in said block, said pins being adapted to engage diagonally opposite holes in a button, and a pair of spring holding elements mounted on said block adapted to engage the opposite pair of holes in a button and hold said button securely against the end of said hollow shaft.

3. A button orienting and transferring device comprising a reciprocable spindle, a pair of opposed button locating fingers extending outwardly beyond one end of said spindle, and spring clips on said end of said spindle adapted to extend through selected holes in a button, expand and maintain said button in fixed position against the end of said spindle.

4. A button orienting and transferring device comprising a reciprocable spindle, a pair of opposed button locating fingers extending outwardly beyond one end of said spindle, spring clips on said end of said spindle adapted to extend through selected holes in a button, expond and maintain said button in fixed position against said end of said spindle, and means for effecting the withdrawal of said fingers from said button while said button is held by said spring clips.

5. The button orienting and transferring device defined in claim 3, including a support for said spindle, means for simultaneously reciprocating and rotating said spindle and advancing said fingers into engagement with selected holes of a button, and means for holding a button with the holes thereof lying in a plane substantially at right angles to the path of movement of said spindle.

6. A button orienting and transferring device comprising an elongated reciprocatory and rotatable support, a mount for said support, said support having a hollow bore in one end thereof, a spindle located in said support, spring means normally tending to urge said spindle out of said bore, a plug provided with a plurality of spaced elongated bores closing said opening in said bore of said support, buttonhole locating fingers carried on said spindle and extending through bores in said plug, spring means mounted on and extending outwardly from the free end of said plug, means for movingsaid support and substantially simultaneously with the movement thereof rotating said support to position said fingers in selected holes in a button, and other means for moving said spring means into other holes of said button whereby said button may be held by said spring means resiliently and firmly against said plug.

7. Button handling mechanism for a button sewing machine comprising an elongated shaft mounted for axial and rotary movement, said shaft being provided with an elongated hollow portion open at one end, a member slidably mounted in said hollow portion, spring means adapted to urge said member towards the open end of said hollow portion, a block in the open end of said hollow portion for maintaining said member within said hollow portion, a pair of elongated pins fixed to said member and extending through said bores in said block,

said pins being adapted to engage diagonally opposite holes in a button, and a pair of spring holding elements mounted on said block adapted to engage the opposite pair of holes in a button and hold said button securely against the end of said hollow shaft.

No references cited. 

